Throughout the 2018 Annual Workhorse Seminar many speakers discussed video and how video can be utilized within their practices. On Tuesday, Gerry Oginski from The Law Office of Gerald Oginski in Great Neck, New York discussed, “How Video Marketing Can Make You a Better Trial Lawyer and Get You Better Cases.” Mr. Oginski began his presentation by reminding the attorneys in the room that whether or not they want to admit it, each and every one of them is a marketer and a salesman. Generating trust and credibility is a key component of being a marketer, but before trying to gain the audience’s trust, attorneys need to understand the purpose of a legal marketing message. Mr. Oginski states, “The purpose of the message is to get someone to notice you and then to take action.” One way to get noticed is by producing a “pattern interrupt”, which is essentially a psychological motivating trigger that gets someone to take notice. Stand out from the crowd! Get noticed by getting into the minds of your audience and then speak to them directly via web videos posted on your web page and Youtube account.

The great Gary Gober from Gober Law in Nashville, Tennessee had an interesting presentation about, “The Trial Lawyer and The Meaning of Life – The Powerful Presentation of Damages in a TBI Case.” Most traumatic brain injury cases are classified as “mild” which means they don’t show up on CT scans and are more difficult for the other side to understand the extent of the plaintiff’s injury. With these type of cases, it really comes down to what makes life worth living. Experts, animations, and medical reports are important but they are not generally what wins cases. Before and after witnesses are incredibly important because they help paint the picture of what the plaintiff used to be like and how they are different now. The value of the case should not be based on the past and future medical expenses, but instead on the life they are now missing out on. “What is the value of losing the memories of your loved ones” Mr. Gober discusses and how so much can be taken away from the victims of a traumatic brain injury. The goal of the attorney is then to convey that emotional message to the adjusters and jury.

Compiling a video presentation that includes before and after witnesses along with footage of how the plaintiff must live present day and photos of how happy they were before the accident at hand can be insightful for adjusters to see. Video has the ability to show what written words cannot.

Frank Branson from Dallas, Texas enlightened the audience about, “Demonstrating Your Case to the Jury – How It Can Make a Difference – Imagination, Creativity, and Innovation.” Mr. Branson discusses the difference between an average and a great lawyer. The answer is simple. Persuasion. If you are not persuading the jury then you are failing to hit the mark. One way of doing so is by speaking the juries language, which can be done through stories. Juries love stories. Mr. Branson points out, “We learned as children from stories. We didn’t like going to bed, but we loved the stories our mothers, dads, and grandparents told us.” As adults, we continue to love being told stories. Think about television shows and movies and why they are are so popular. The audience is entertained by being told a story.

A video is such a powerful way to not only tell someone’s story but to show it. Whether you are showing a settlement documentary during mediation or a day-in-the-life video at trial, your audience is able to see first hand what your client goes through on a day to day basis. With technology being such a huge part of our lives, seeing first hand on a television screen is a lot more persuasive than reading papers or hearing someone’s reenactment of events. Video persuades!

March 20th kicked off the 2018 Annual Workhorse Seminar in Orlando, Florida. Image Resources has attended this seminar the last three years as an exhibitor, the official videographers for the seminar sessions themselves, and photographer.

As alluded by the name of the conference, “Workhorse”, the week is known for being extreme with the first CLE of the day kicking off at 7:00 a.m. and the last CLE ending around 10:00 p.m. including short breaks for lunch and dinner in between. The four-day seminar is chock-full of talented presenters discussing topics ranging from “How a Good Attack Can Destroy a Law Firm” to “Taking Your Client from Victim to Visionary”. Since there are over 75 sessions taking place, every single attorney went home with a plethora of new information to incorporate into their practices.

Luncheons

Each day, a special guest spoke during the lunch hour. Tuesday’s featured luncheon program was presented by Sach Oliver from Bailey & Oliver in Rogers, Arkansas. Mr. Oliver discussed, “The Art, Science, and Methodology of Showing the Story to the Judge and Jury.” One thing he capitalized on was the importance of using multiple visual aids at depositions. He spoke about how he puts relevant paperwork in front of the witness, writes on things, uses boards, TVs and whatever means necessary to fully portray his information to the other side. Mr. Oliver even uses two videographers when needed. He was a huge advocate of going above and beyond if you believe that the case will go to trial. Sach also endorses getting visual aids out early.

Wednesday’s lunch program was presented by the National Memory Champion and Renowned Brain-Athlete, Ron White, from Grapevine, Texas. Mr. White captured the audience’s attention at the beginning by having around 50 people he met prior to his presentation all stand and then quickly naming off their names one by one with little to no hesitation followed by memorizing 50 random numbers chosen by the audience. Mr. White started his memory journey in his teens and has worked hard to be recognized all across America as a memory champion. When trying to remember virtually anything, Ron recommends these five steps, 1. focus 2. file 3. picture 4. action and 5. review. He briefly mentioned that a proper diet and exercise can assist a sharp mind, but 99% of memory is technique. Ron White has definitely fine-tuned his technique over the years!

The last luncheon speaker of The Annual Workhorse Seminar was Dr. Bennet Omalu. Dr. Omalu is a world-renowned forensic pathologist whose credited for being the first to discover and diagnose chronic brain damage in NFL athletes. He called the disease CTE or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, which he discovered by performing an autopsy on NFL Center, Mike Webster. The 2015 Award-nominated film, Concussion, starring Will Smith, was inspired by Dr. Omalu and his breakthroughs regarding brain damage in football players.

Stay tuned for our next blog where we take a closer look at a few of the seminars from the week and how they relate to the work we do at Image Resources, Inc.